Cigarette package



Feb. 1, 1938. J. H. M MlLLAN, JR 2,107,042

CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed March 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @MGLQM Feb. 1, 1938- J. H. MacMlLLAN. JR 2,107,042

CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed March 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fm/mL or JOHN H MCMLLAMJE.

ATTQENEY6 Patented Feb. 1,1938 2,107,042

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,101,042 I CIGARETTE memos John H. MacMillan, Jr., Minneapolis, Minn. Application March 5, 1936, Serial No. 67,31;

1 Claim. (01. 229 16) This invention relates to new and useful immeans provided in the front wall of the packprovements in cigarette packages of the type age for exerting a slight pressure upon the concomprising a flap whereby it may readily be tents or cigarettes in the package, thereby to reopened and closed each time a cigarette is retain them in position therein, when the package moved therefrom. has been partially emptied; in the simple means An object of the present invention is to proprovided for retaining the flap in closed position; vide an improved cigarette package, preferably and in the simple and inexpensive construction constructed of a suitable paper, and the walls of v of the package, as a whole, whereby it may be' which are so arra ged and folded that when manufactured at small cost.

the package is closed, it is so strengthenedand Other objects of the invention will appear from 10 reinforced that the package may readily be carthe following description and accompanying ried in a pocket without danger of becoming drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed distorted or collapsing, even though subjected to claim. a considerable pressure. 1 v In the accompanying drawings, there has been A further object of the invention is to provide disclosed a structure designed to carry out the 15 a cigarette package constructed of flexible mavarious objects of the invention, but it is to be terial and having a flap for closing the open end understood that the invention is not confined to thereof, which flap is provided with inwardly the exact features shown as various changes may folded edges which, when the flap is in closed pobe made within the scope of the claim which folsition, strengthens the flap and also the upper lows.

" end of the package. In the drawings:

Afurther object is to provide a cigarette pack- Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank from age comprising a body portion composed of front, which the package or container is made; back, and side walls, and the back and side walls Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the of the body extending beyond the top of the body, blank folded to provide the completed package, 25

and the extended side wall portions being adapted the flap being shown in open position; to fold over the extended back'wall portion and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the'flap cooperating therewith to provide a flap which may partially folded into closing position; be folded over the mouth of the body and suit- Figue 4 is a view showing the'package filled V ably secured to the front wall of the package with cigarettes and a pack of matches secured to 30 to thereby close the package. the front wall of the package;

A further object is .to provide an improved cig- Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the packarette package provided with a flap for closing age completely closed; the open end or mouth thereof, and which flap is Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through so constructed that when the package is closed, the package, showing the matches concealed be- 35 the body of the package is greatly strengthened, tween the front walls of the package and the whereby it will withstand considerable pressure flap, and also illustrating in dotted lines, the without danger of collapsing or becoming dismeans provided in the package for retaining torted, and whereby the cigarettes contained the cigarettesin position therein; 7

therein are not readily bruised or otherwise dam- Figure '7 is a sectional plan view on the line 40 aged, while carried in said package. 1-1 of Figure 6, showing the package partially Other objects of the invention reside in conempty; structing a package or container from a single Figure 8 is a top view of the package; blank of material so scored and shaped that, its Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line various sections may readily be folded to provide 99 of Figure 6, showing how the material is 45 a package having an open end, and a closure folded upon itself at the lower corners of the for closing said open end; in the construction of package, when the blank is folded to provide the the walls of the package which constitute the completed package; and flap, whereby bellows-like folds are provided at Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a packthe juncture between the body and the flap, when age provided with a snap button for securing the 50 the latter is folded over the top of the body and flap in closed position.

against the front wall thereof, thereby to The novel cigarette package herein disclosed, is

strengthen and stiffen the upper end of the packshown formed from a single blank of material,

age so that when closed, it is not likely to bepreferably shaped as shown in Figure. 1. This come distorted when carried in a pocket; in the blank comprises three main sections 2, 3, and 4, 55

section 2 forming the front wall of the package, section I the back wall, and section I the flap for closing the mouth of the package. A section I is defined by transverse score lines I-I, and constitutes the bottom wall of the package, and a section I, defined by transverse score lines I-I, provides the top wall of the package, when the mouth thereof is closed.

The blank is also shown provided with longitudinally extending score lines I-I, which extend from end to end of the blank and along which the blank is bent to provide the corners of the package. V-shaped notches II are preferably provided in the opposite edges of the blank and have diagonal score-lines I2 extending from the bottoms thereof to the points of intersection between the score lines I and I. Diagonal score lines II are provided in the blank at the ends of the section I, for purposes subsequently to be described.

To construct the package, the section 2 of the blank is folded over the section I, along the score linesI-'-I, and the marginal'sections II are then .folded inwardly and suitably secured together by gumming, to thereby form the side walls of the package, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 2. The diagonal score lines I2, at the bottom of the notches I I, cause a portion of the material to be folded upon itself, as clearly illustrated in Figure 9, so that when the marginal edge portions II, which constitute the side walls of the package, are suitably secured together, the section I between the score lines I-I will constitute the bottom wall II of the package.

An important feature of the present inventionresides in the novel construction of the means provided for closing the mouth of the package,

and which also functions to reinforce and strengthen the package, when closed This closure means will hereinafter be referred to as the flap. The flap, generally indicated by the numeral II,iscomposed of'sectionl oftheblank,and portions of the marginal edge portions II, which represent the side wall portions 22 of the flap. When the sections of the blank are folded into thepositionsshowninFlgure2,itwillbenoted that the flap II, which, in this iigure,.i's shown open, is alined with the back wall II of the a age (section I of the blank). The front wall ll 'of the package is formed-by section 2, and-the bottom wall II, by section I. It will also be'noted' that the side wall portions 22 of the flap are," in

reality, extensions of the side walls N of the package body,-which latter nae walls are also composed of portions of the marginal edge portions II of the blank. When the flap is open, the side walls 22 and 21 of theflapand package body,

respectively, are aiined, and the wall portions 22 may assume the positions shown in Figure 2. If desired, the corners 2| of the side walls 22 may be folded into contact with the wall of the flap II and be secured thereto.

cannot readily be distorted or collapsed, when an Y abnormal pressure is applied thereto, which may the package, and is concealed by the flap II, as

best shown in Figure 6. One of the walls of the package as, for example, the bottom wall I5, is provided with a suitable match-scratching surface, indicated by the numeral 2|.

Means is provided for securing the flap in closedposition and preferably consists of a flexible element II, shown having its terminals suitably secured to the ends of the flap, as best illustrated in Figure 2, whereby the element 2I may be stretched over the lower end of the package, when the flap is in closed position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, thereby to retain the flap in such position.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the means provided for retaining the cigarettes in upright position within the package or container, when the package has been partially emptied. Such a means is shown inFlgures 2, 6, and 7, and may consist of inwardly bending a portion 21 of'the front wall 2i of the package. To thus inwardly bend the portion 21, the section 2 of the blank is slitted as shown at 2I in Figure 1, whereby the portion 21 may readily be bent inwardly to the dotted line position, shown in Figure 7. When the package is filled, the inwardly bent portion 2'I"is folded flatly against the front wall 2i of the package, as clearly illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 10 illustrates a package of s i ly modifled cmstruction, wherein .a suitable snap button,

' generally indicated by the numerals 29 and II,

is provided for retaining the flap I2 in closed position. The flap, shown in Figure 10, is substantially the same in construction as the one shown in the'previous figures; with the exception that the marginal edge at the end thereof, is bent and rigidity when. the package is closed, and' whereby it may be conveniently carried in the 3 pocket without, danger of becoming distorted or carried in the pocket, quickly become distorted and press out of shape to the extent that the cigarettes therein often become mutilated which, obviously is undesirable.

In the unique carton herein disclosed, the portions of the blank which constitute the flap are scored in such a manner that when the sidewall portions 22 of the flap are folded inwardly, as shown in Figure'3, the portions thereof adjacent to the mouth of the package, will fold upon themselves to provide the bellows-like folds 24, which folds, as hereinbefolestated, cooperate with the "flap II to so strengthen" and stiifen the upper end of the container that the package will withstand considerable pressure without danger of becoming distorted or collapsing,1and whereby the cigarettes in the package will'be protected against damage until all of the cigarettes of the package have been removed therefrom.

The construction of the package presents the utmost in simplicity, whereby it may be manucollapsing. Ordinary cigarette packages, when side edges of the blank to permit the marginal side edges to be folded to form side walls of the package, transverse score lines dividing the blank into a front wall portion, a bottom wall portion,

a back wall portion, a top wall portion and a 5 closure flap in the order named, and diagonal score lines on said marginal side edge-portions to facilitate forming the bottom wall and top wall of the package.

JOHN H. MACMILLAN, JR. 1o 

